Workington Town 6 Featherstone Rovers 38 Rovers needed not only to win at Derwent Park today but to win comfortably. A win would give them the points needed to progress in the NRC but a comfortable win was needed to fully restore the confidence of the traveling fans after the disappointment of last week. At half time with only two points between the teams some eyebrows must have been raised, but a second half of well disciplined rugby and thirty unanswered points gave Rovers a comprehensive victory that satisfied both of the day's objectives. Rovers kicked off on what must have been the heaviest ground played on this year after heavy rain left standing water all round the speedway track. The two teams exchanged sets for the first few minutes until on the eighth minute good ground by Tim Spiers and Waine Pryce set up the first try. An untidy play the ball on the last saw the ball move left where Jamie Field put Sam Smeaton over. On the twelve minute we increased the score with a try by Waine Pryce. Good ground was gained after a penalty for a high tackle and as Rovers spread the ball, good hands by Andy, Iestyn and Ian Hardman put Waine in in the corner. Once again a missed kick but the score was ticking over. The first quarter had belonged to the visiting team but suddenly there was a feeling of deja vu. The ball was failing to stick and once again with a kickable penalty the decision was to run the ball only to knock on in the first tackle. Rovers were finding it difficult to complete sets and when, with five minutes to go to half time, Town scored, there were a few worried looks. From a scrum on half way, Workington kicked on the first tackle and Beattie won the race to the line. A first class conversion by Forber and the gap was down to two points. Nothing else in the half so the teams left the field with all to play for. As the second quarter had exposed the frailties in Rovers play, the second half It only took three minutes for Rovers to extend their lead. Back to back sets with good kicks, first by Andy Kain and then by Stuart Dickens lead to the ball moving right to Iestyn. He dummied to the right before turning back inside and slicing through the defence to score. An easy conversion for Stuart and the Rovers were on their way. Workington were finding it increasingly difficult to clear their line and were usually having to kick while still well inside their own forty. This field advantage lead to Rover's next try. With dummy runners confusing the defence Andy Kain's pass went to Ian Hardman who stepped in off his left foot to go through and score a try once again converted by Stuart.
Ten minutes later, Tony Tonks, who all afternoon had made inroads into the Town defence, collected an inside ball to swat off some indifferent tackling and score under the sticks. Iestyn returned to kicking duties and added the two. The last and possibly the best try of the game illustrated more than anything else Rovers superiority on the day.The move started close to the Rovers line and a slip ball from Tim Spiers released Waine Pryce. He was tackled but as the ball came left Andy Kain flicked the ball out of the tackle for Richard Blakeway to collect and score. Another conversion and a ninety metre move gained a well deserved six points. It was left for the only bizarre decision of an otherwise well refereed game. As Workington came out of their half Iestyn intercepted a wayward pass and with players in pursuit ran and then slid for the line and planted the ball well inside the in-goal area. With the referee and the linesmen all level with the Rovers defensive line, they had no chance to keep up with the play and decided for some reason to give the benefit of their doubts to the home side and disallowed the try.
Workington nearly had the last word when Roper gathered his own chip over the defensive line but his pass when tackled couldn't reach a supporting player.. For threequarters of the game Rovers had overcome the conditions well and produced the kind of rugby that the visiting supporters wanted to see. Now they need to duplicate this for home crowds to increase the size of their support.
Half Time 6-8 Referee Mr C Halloran Scoring sequence 0-4, 0-8, 6-8, 6-14, 6-20, 6-26, 6-32, 6-38, Game breaker: The discipline in defence in the second half that time and again saw the line drop back ten and then come at pace to prevent any gain for the home team. Crowd 477 . © 2009 Stuart Lonsdale |
Iestyn missed the kick but we had points on the board. 
was to show their strengths. Forty minutes of first class defence and discipline coupled with strong running and good handling blew the home side away.
Waine got his second try on the 57th minute. Andy Kain dummied the kick on the last, only to pass right along the line where a miss pass put Waine in at the corner.
